Park Board now hiring for summer jobs

Work for Parks this summer! We’re hiring for hundreds of temporary and seasonal opportunities, including camps and childcare, lifeguards, concessions, cashiers, parks and facility maintenance, drivers, front desk and customer service. Workers as young as 14 may be hired as cashiers and concessions workers, and lifeguards maybe as young as 15, with lifeguard training, offered through the Park Board.

Park Board Summer Camps

What’s the perfect summer camp for your kiddo? The Park Board has dozens of options! Check out SPARC day camps, offered all summer at Ritter Springs Park and other school-park sites, with field trips, swimming, games, crafts, sports, nature activities and themed weeks. Make a full day of Springfield Public Schools Explore program, with SPARC programs offered before and after school. Or choose from specialized skill camps at Park Board golf courses, Jordan Valley Ice Park, Springfield Botanical Gardens and Springfield Skate Park! Get to know animals at day camps at Dickerson Park Zoo, Valley Water Mill Park Equestrian Center and Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park.

Fri., March 1: Kids’ Night at Dan Kinney Family Center

Parents may enjoy a night out while kids have supervised fun with friends, 5:30-9 p.m. Kids enjoy crafts, watch the movie “The Croods,” eat pizza and play in the gymnasium. For kids 5-12 yrs. Fee is $7/Member, $10/Non-member.

March 2-3 and 9-10: Sequiota Cave Boat Tours at Sequiota Park

Enjoy a rare opportunity for a guided boat tour through Sequiota Cave, including cave myths, history and facts. Tours are Sat. and Sun., March 2-3 and 9-10 , 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Space is limited and registration is required by the Friday prior. Bring headlamps and/or flashlights. Dates subject to weather and bat activity. For ages 5 yrs. and up, 5-12 must be with an adult. $8/Adult, $6/youth ages 5-15 yrs.

Sun., March 3: Adult Pickleball League at Dan Kinney Family Center

Doubles league with 5 weeks of play, followed by a tournament. Each week is a double-header. For ages 16 yrs. and up. Games are Sun. at 4 p.m., March 3-April 7. Fee is $40/Team.

Potting Shed University at the Springfield Botanical Gardens

Become a better gardener! Master Gardeners present gardening skills on various topics, Mon., 6-7 p.m. at the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center. Registration opens at 5:30 p.m. for ages 18 yrs. and up. Fee is $5/person, cash only.

March 4:  Frugal Gardening 
March 11:  Blueberries in the Home Garden
March 18:  Landscaping Your Home with Native Plants
March 25: Great Perennials

Tae Kwon Do begins at Doling and Dan Kinney Family Centers

Basic martial arts techniques for ages 6 and up, beginning through advanced. Instructor-led classes emphasize: be polite, be patient, be alert, be brave, do our best, respect yourself and others. Fee is $30/Member, $40/Non-member. Doling Family Center: Tues. and Thurs., 6 p.m., March 5-28; Dan Kinney Family Center: Mon. and Wed., 7 p.m., March 18-April 11.

Thurs., March 7: Youth and Home School HorseSHOE begins at Valley Water Mill Equestrian Center

HorseSHOE teaches safety around horses and basic grooming, saddling and riding techniques for kids ages 7-16 yrs. Class size limited to eight students. Horses and helmets provided. Beginning SHOE I classes are Thurs., 4:30-5:30 p.m., or Home school SHOE I classes are 10-11 a.m., March 7-28. Fee is $60/Person.

Fri., March 8-Fri., March 15: SPARC Spring Break at Sequiota Elementary

Join SPARC on spring break out for fun-filled week of games and crafts at Sequiota Elementary, with exciting field trips to Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park, Dickerson Park Zoo, bowling, movies and more. Space is limited. For kids in grades K-5, kids must bring a lunch. 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Fee $17/day.

Sun., March 10: SPARC Spring Soccer and Girls’ Volleyball Deadline

Enjoy fun, safe, and affordable sports where players learn basic skills and positive character traits. Season runs April 6-May 18 (no games April 20). Games on Sat. mornings, practices on weekday evenings. Soccer is open for 3 yrs.-Grade 6. Girls’ Volleyball is open for Grades 3-8. Fee: $45/Child.

Mon., March 11-Fri., March 15: Spring Break in the Botanical Gardens

Kids spend spring break experiencing nature and the gardens, with programs that encourage creativity and active play. A different program every day, covering everything from soil to the skies! Sign up for one day or all week. Camp runs 1-3 p.m. each day for kids, 5-12 yrs. Fee is $5/Day or $15/Week.

Mon., March 11-Fri., March 15: Zoo Medicine Spring Break Camp

Interested in being a veterinarian? Learn more about how the zoo animals are kept healthy, handling medical emergencies and more. Class is designed for kids in grades 5-6 who interested in pursuing a veterinary medicine career. Class runs 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. each day. Fee is $325/Members, $400 Non-members.

Wed., March 13: Garden Story Time at the Springfield Botanical Gardens

Preschoolers and their families meet in the Botanical Center for a garden-themed story time, followed by a fun activity. Story time begins at 10 a.m. Admission is free.

Fri., March 15: Deadline for Adult Spring/Summer Softball Leagues

Men’s Slow Pitch, Women’s Slow Pitch, and Coed Slow Pitch softball leagues. Register your team of 10+ players by March 15. Season runs April 1-July 19. Fee $350/Team.

Fri., March 15: Try Archery Program

Visit the Springfield Archery Complex at the Davis Property from 5-6 p.m. to learn how to shoot a limited number of arrows at a target, under the supervision of a certified instructor. For beginners age 6 yrs. and up, all equipment is provided. Fee is $5/person.

Sat., March 16-Sun., March 17: Orchid Show and Sale at Springfield Botanical Gardens

The Springfield Orchid Society brings a juried display of beautiful, rare and exotic orchids to the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center. Show is Sat. and Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free, some plants are for sale.

March 18-19: Family Learn to Swim begins at Chesterfield and Doling Family Centers

Designed to accommodate all ages through Level 2 skills, focusing on swim skills and water safety, with classes twice a week for three weeks. Fee is $40/Member, $50/Non-member.

Tues., March 19: Learn to Skate and Learn to Play Hockey begins at Jordan Valley Ice Park

Eight-week group skating instruction for all ages, includes eight free public ice skating session passes. Classes offered Tues. and Thurs., 4:40-6:30 p.m. and Sat, 10:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Session runs March 19-May 11. Fee is $90, which includes skate rental, plus $16 USFS annual membership.

Tues., March 19: Dog Obedience Class begins at Oak Grove Community Center

A great start for you and your dog. For owners 18 yrs. and up, beginning and advanced classes available. Classes are Tues., March 19-April 23. Beginning class is 6-7 p.m., advanced class is 7-8 p.m. Proof of vaccination is required. Fee is $99/Beginning, $110/Advanced.

Sun., March 24: SPARC 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament

Do your kids have March Madness? Get your team together by Wed., March 20 for SPARC’s Annual 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, held at Parkview High School, starting at noon. Kids grades 3-8 compete in girls, boys and coed teams to be crowned the champ! Registration and silent auction proceeds benefit the Park Board Youth Recreation Scholarship Fund. Fee is $50/team of 3-4 players. Register at 417-837-5737.

Fri., March 22: Kids’ Night at Chesterfield Family Center

Parents, enjoy a night out! From 6-9:30 p.m., the kids will have supervised fun with friends. They’ll go swimming indoors, watch a movie and eat pizza. For 5-12 yrs. Fee is $10/Member, $15/Non-member.

Thurs., March 28: Art-C Paint at Chesterfield Family Center

Spend an evening creating a painting, for all ages and abilities! Bring a friend or a loved one and create a masterpiece together. Children under 5 yrs. with an adult only. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Fee is $30/Member, $40/Non-member, $25/Additional canvas.

Fri., March 29: Youth Spring Baseball, Softball and Sluggers league deadline

Batter up! Register by March 29 for recreational and competitive baseball and softball, or try Sluggers League for beginners age 4-9. Baseball and softball season is April 8-May 10, Sluggers is April 6-June 1. Fees and locations vary.

Sat.-Sun., March 30-31: Petit Jean Camp and Hike in Arkansas

Camp and hike in the rugged beauty of Arkansas’s first state park. Physical fitness is required. Transportation and group camp-site provided. Camping gear available for rent. Gear lists and meal planning help available. Tour leaves Springfield on Sat. at 8 a.m. and will return by 8 p.m. on Sun. For ages 13 yrs. and up. Fee is $30/Person.